For many, hospice is closely tied to cancer. It is true that cancer patients were among the first to benefit from hospice care. While hospice now serves patients with a wide variety of diagnoses, cancer patients continue to be among those who turn to hospice for help as their disease advances. At Ohio’s Hospice, 34 percent of our patients have been diagnosed with cancer. Hospice offers cancer patients improved quality of life and families support as loved ones decline.

When should hospice care be considered?

The following changes may indicate hospice could benefit the patient and family:

• The patient is becoming weaker and the disease is progressing
• Treatment is no longer effective
• The burden of treatment is becoming overwhelming for the patient

Our staff of specialists

• Keep patients comfortable with proactive pain and symptom management
• Help assure smooth transitions when patient condition is changing and different services and levels of care are needed
• Provide emotional and spiritual support

Maintain close monitoring of symptoms to respond quickly when changes in condition occur

For patient families, Hospice of Dayton

• Provides caregiver education and training
• A nurse consultant on call 24/7
• Help and guidance with resources and support
• Respite care when caregivers need a break
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Bereavement services and support

On World Cancer Day we encourage everyone to learn about cancer prevention. Visit this site to test your knowledge and learn more about 50% of cancers can be prevented.